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Disaster relief available due to drought

Agriculture Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack declared a natural disaster in North Carolina based on losses caused by drought that occurred beginning Nov. 1, 2023, and continuing. 

As a result of this natural disaster, four North Carolina counties were declared eligible for federal disaster assistance, including Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency (EM) loans for eligible family farmers. Those primary disaster counties are Cherokee, Clay, Macon and Swain counties.

In addition to those four primary disaster counties, Graham, Haywood and Jackson are named as contiguous counties where eligible family farmers may qualify for FSA EM loan assistance.

Farmers in those counties may apply for EM loans for production losses. The deadline is Nov. 25 for filing an application. The local office is located at 61 Triple Springs Road in Hendersonville.Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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